Union Members Battling 9/11-Related Illnesses Nearly 15 Years Later

Nearly a decade and a half after the 9/11 disaster, members involved in the 9/11 response or who were present in Lower Manhattan may still be eligible for no-cost healthcare services to monitor and treat 9/11-related conditions. As the 15th anniversary approaches, 9/11 unfortunately remains a major public health concern for the thousands of responders and survivors (area residents/workers) still suffering from illnesses related to their exposure to the WTC-derived contaminants. Many first responders and survivors are continuing to experience physical and mental health symptoms as a result of their work or presence in the NYC Disaster Area. The WTC Health Program which was established under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 enables workers who participated in the rescue, recovery, clean-up, restoration, and support services as well as those who were present, lived, worked or went to school in the area to receive no-cost medical screening and treatment. However, the number of enrollees in the program does not reflect the full population of responders and survivors exposed to WTC-derived contaminants. It is estimated that 400,000 people were exposed to the WTC-derived contaminants in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks, while there are currently over 72,000 responders and survivors receiving care from the WTC Health Program.
Chronic cough, shortness of breath, acid reflux, certain cancers (among many other conditions) could be a 9/11-related condition. The WTC Health Program provides no-cost medical monitoring and treatment for responders and survivors with 9/11-related conditions in the New York metropolitan area as well as throughout the country. Physicians affiliated with the program can provide specialized healthcare for 9/11 responders and survivors across the nation.
For more information, please call the WTC Health Program directly at 1-888-982-4748 or visit their website @ www.cdc.gov/wtc or to connect with NYCOSH’s hotline on the program call 855- 498-2243 or visit nycosh.org.